ME Falcon Spirit

Posted Date: 5/02/25 (11:30 PM)

ME Falcon Spirit

May 2, 2025

Note From The Principal

Spring is certainly in the air with brighter mornings and longer days of sunshine. We have been enjoying some nice warm days in April and hopefully that will continue into May. Students and staff continue to work hard, and we still have lots to do in our final weeks. We have 5th graders off to Outdoor School, SBA testing in grades 3-5, and much more learning to happen in these final weeks of school. As we continue to learn about and implement the 7 Habits as staff and students here at school, this month I want to briefly introduce you to Habit 6: Synergize.

Habit 6: Synergize is when two or more people work together to create a better solution that they may not have thought of alone. This is 1 person + another person = 2 ideas + many more than either of them would have thought of alone. Synergy is taking good ideas and making them better by working together. Examples of synergy can be found in nature, history, literature, and our own personal experiences. For example, in nature a flock of geese fly in a V formation because, due to the updraft, the entire flock can fly farther than if each bird flew alone. At home you could try to institute a synergy program by having everyone drop what they are doing and pitch in to get a job done such as washing the dishes, pulling weeds, sweeping or something else that makes the work go quicker with everyone involved.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure a strong and successful conclusion to the school year. Have a wonderful month of May.

Jack Sackett, Principal

Kindergarten Orientation

Thursday, May 8th, at 5:30 PM

We are so excited to welcome our newest kindergarten students and their families! This is a great opportunity to help your child feel comfortable and excited for the big first day!

May Breakfast/Lunch Menu

Class Placement 2025-2026

During May and June, our teaching staff will be cooperatively working to place students entering grades 1 – 5 for the 2025-2026 school year. We work to create the best community of learning for each classroom by looking at creating an equitable distribution of students of different abilities, talents, personalities, and approaches to learning. Student placement is a complex task, and the list below gives you a sample of some of the things that are taken into consideration by staff through the placement process:

Academic Achievement
Behavior and Social Skills
Learning Styles
Class Size
Relationships

Due to the variables and complexity of placements, we are asking parents to trust our process and allow our teachers to make placement decisions. Also, due to withdrawals and additional registrations that occur during the summer, classroom rosters are not completed until the end of summer. We will notify you of your child’s tentative assignment for the 2025-2026 school year in late August.

All student assignments are tentative until a determination is made after the fifth day of school in September. At that time, adjustments may be made based on final enrollment and staffing numbers.

While parent requests for particular teachers are not accepted, if you desire to provide input about your child’s learning needs and learning style, please fill out the electronic Parent Input Form at the link below by Friday, May 9th at 4:00 p.m.

Parent Input Form

Next Week is Teacher Appreciation Week!

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Help us show our amazing teachers how much we care!

Sunday, May 4th - Chalk Walk

Monday, May 5th - Write a handmade note

Tuesday, May 6th - Bring flowers, Black Dove Coffee Cart

Wednesday, May 7th - Bring a treat

Thursday, May 8th - Thank your specialist of the day

Friday, May 9th - Teacher and staff lunch from ME PTSA

SBA Testing Starts May 14th

In May, all Mukilteo Elementary students in grades 3–5 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English/Language Arts and Math. Grade 5 students will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS). These state tests help measure student progress toward grade-level standards. Please see the schedule below.

HOW LONG ARE THE TESTS?

The ELA test takes 3 to 4 hours, typically spread over 3 days; math takes 2 to 3 hours over 2 days; and the science test takes 2 to 3 hours in one day. To prevent fatigue, students work in short sessions with breaks, often testing for about 45 minutes at a time. Since the tests are untimed, students who need more time can finish in another room or on a different day.

HOW ARE THE TESTS GIVEN?

Most students will take the tests on a computer. Scratch paper is provided for certain sections, and any needed tools, like calculators, are either built into the test or supplied by the school.

DO STUDENTS NEED HEADPHONES FOR THE TEST?

Yes, some test sections include audio, videos, and graphics. We provide headphones, but students may bring their own inexpensive set, as we can't replace lost or damaged items.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP PREPARE MY CHILD FOR THESE ASSESSMENTS?

Make sure your child is well rested, eats a good breakfast (free at school daily), and arrives on time, as testing begins in the morning. Encourage them to do their best and keep trying, even when questions get harder—this often means they’re doing well, as the test adapts to their performance. Some items may cover unfamiliar, higher-grade content, which is normal. Help them stay motivated, but avoid adding pressure, as anxiety can affect performance.

HOW DOES THE SCHOOL PREPARE STUDENTS TO PERFORM WELL ON THE TESTS?

These assessments measure how well students meet state standards. Throughout the year, students learn the tested material and practice with similar tools and formats. Most students in grades 4 and 5 are already familiar with the ELA and math tests. Teachers review test-taking strategies, like reading instructions carefully. We’re confident our students are well-prepared and will do their best, thanks to the strong support from our teachers and staff and the ongoing growth students have shown in reading, writing, math, and science.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT STATE TESTING IN WASHINGTON?

You can learn more about each test by visiting the following websites:

Smarter Balanced Assessments
Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science
Try out sample content (Click Sign In, to begin)

PTSA Talent Show

Get ready for our annual ME Talent Show on May 15th at 6pm!

Mukilteo Elementary has talent! You won't want to miss these performances!

We have two upcoming rehearsal dates: Monday, May 12th, and Wednesday, May 14th, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Both rehearsals will take place on the stage.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the ME PTSA Executive Board at officers@meptsa.org.

Save the Date - ME Carnival

Save the date: June 12 | 5:30–8:00 PM

Carnival games, treats, and surprises galore!

More details coming soon—mark your calendars!

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open! If you or someone you know has a child who will be five years old by Aug. 31, it’s time to register for kindergarten. Families can register online or in person at their neighborhood school between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Click here to learn more and register.

Birds and flowers around the edge with six birdhouses in the center. The categories include: has a bird on the cover, a transformation occurs, takes place in a different time, is set in the Spring, has a character you would like to be friends with; and free choice. To complete this reading challenge, choose four different books to read this month that match with the categories listed. Be sure to write the name of the book you read in the birdhouse where it fits. Turn it into Mrs. Morse or Mrs. Edwards when you're done for a chance to win a prize. Happy Reading.

May Reading Challenge

To complete this reading challenge, choose four different books to read this month that match the categories listed. Be sure to write the name of the book you read in the birdhouse where it fits. Turn it into Mrs. Morse or Mrs. Edwards when you're done for a chance to win a prize. Happy Reading.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

ME celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Please visit the library to see the book recommendations.

Little brown otter holding a green book with text saying The OTTER Award

OTTER 3rd Grade Reading Challenge

These books have been nominated by Washington State teachers and librarians as fantastic new transitional chapter books, perfect for many 3rd grade readers. 3rd grade students are invited to join the challenge to read all 6 books! The challenge begins now and ends in June!

Click here for more information!

Six different books for the OTTER Reading Challenge

Green circle with an outline of Washington State and sasquatch walking through the forest. Text saying Sasquatch Award.

SASQUATCH Reading Challenge

Open to 4th and 5th Graders

WHY? We get better at reading BY READING! Why not read the BEST books! These 12 books have been identified by Washington State teachers and children’s librarians as AWESOME NEW BOOKS for 4th-6th graders! Read or listen to these great titles! Student votes will be counted in April and the Sasquatch Award winner will be announced in May 2025.

Click here for more information!

12 different books for listed for the Sasquatch Award

Thank you to our awesome Educators!

ME PTSA stocks coffee and tea in the staff lounge to show our gratitude for all our amazing Educators.

Please feel free to donate K-cups and tea any time; they are greatly appreciated!

You can bring donations to the front office any time!

Volunteer at Mukilteo Elementary

Prior to volunteering, you must have a current background check on file with the district. Please fill out the necessary form through this link: Mukilteo School District Volunteer. If you have any questions regarding the background check call the Mukilteo Elementary office 425-366-3100.

Student - Family Handbook

Mukilteo Elementary School

Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Simone Neal (425-356-1319), nealsr@mukilteo.wednet.edu Section 504 Coordinator Becca Anderson (425-356-1277) andersonra@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330) moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road, Everett, WA 98204.